Trust God, and Act!

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

'Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf.' 1 Samuel 14:6 NIV

During the early days of Saul’s kingship, the Philistines controlled much of Israel, and battle lines were drawn at the pass called Michmash. Saul seemed content to sit on the sidelines, but Jonathan wanted to be on the front line. ‘Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.’ (1 Samuel 14:1 NIV) There was only Jonathan and his armour-bearer, so the odds didn’t look good. But when you make a move that is motivated by God’s glory, it moves the heart and hand of God. What it requires is a step of faith. And often it’s the longest, hardest and scariest step you’ve ever taken.

Usually when Israel’s kings went into battle it was because they had received a word from the Lord assuring their victory. Jonathan had received no such word. He simply said, ‘Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf.’ Most people operate out of the opposite mentality: ‘Perhaps the Lord won’t act on our behalf.’ They let fear dictate their decisions instead of faith. So, they end up with Saul, sitting on the sidelines. And how did the battle turn out for Jonathan and his armour bearer? ‘So the Lord saved Israel that day.’ (1 Samuel 14:23 ESV) All it took was one daring decision! That’s all it ever takes. When you move, God will move on your behalf. And if you don’t move, you’ll always wonder ‘what if?’ Often our longest regrets are our inaction regrets—the things we would have, could have, or should have done but did not do. So, the word for you today is: trust God, and act!